Overcoming Dental Phobia with Sedation Dentistry

Dental phobia is an overwhelming fear of anything that has to do with dental procedures. The fear is illogical and makes patients strongly averse to seeking professional dental treatment. As a result, dental problems can worsen to a point where more drastic forms of treatment (and more expense) are required.

Managing Dental Phobia

Patients who suffer from dental phobia can always seek help from licensed therapists. Talk therapy can help get to the root of the problem and provide coping techniques. Another solution, albeit a controversial one, is hypnosis. However, patients may be hard-pressed to find a trustworthy and legitimate professional who knows how to use hypnosis effectively. Very few studies also support the success rate of hypnosis as a form of treatment.

Sedation Dentistry

A temporary but effective solution for dental phobia is sedation dentistry. Sedation is very effective, but it does not eliminate the cause of the problem. Sedation dentistry involves administering sedatives to help patients relax throughout the procedure. Oral conscious sedation does not put you to sleep, but you’ll have limited awareness of what goes on during the procedure. You may also be able to communicate with your dentist.

Depending on the type of sedative, it may take just an hour or so for sedation to wear off after the procedure. Patients are advised to wait in the safety of the clinic until the effects of sedation are completely reversed. It helps to bring along a companion who can take you home after treatment.

Sedation dentistry helps patients get the treatment they need. It also helps dentists work without interruptions. If you’ve been postponing necessary dental treatment because of fear, help is on the way. Santa Cruz dentist Dr. Matiasevich, Jr. offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral conscious sedation to manage dental anxiety. Visit our clinic today or click here to set an appointment.

Meet Dr. Matiasevich, DDS

As a second-generation dentist, Dr. Matiasevich was raised in Santa Cruz. Dr. Matiasevich completed his undergraduate work in economics at the University of California Irvine and then attended the University of Southern California for his dental degree.